5 Types of Maldivian Marine Life Creatures – Colourful, smart, intelligent and graceful they are awesome to watch! 

Out of the 05 types of sea turtles that have been seen around the archipelago, turtles such as Hawksbill Turtles and Green Turtles are frequently spotted whilst Leatherbacks, Olive Ridley and Loggerhead are rarely seen. If you are lucky both Hawksbill and Green Turtles can be spotted whilst engaging in resort activities in Maldives such as diving or snorkelling. These creatures are quite graceful as they glide to the surface to breathe before going under. They use their sharp curved beaks to locate food by pecking at rocks or coral to get at sea sponges. Whilst sea sponges make up the largest part of the diet of Hawksbill, they also feed on smaller sea anemones, large algae and even jellyfish.

With the ideal temperature and fertile waters surrounding the archipelago sharks have an abundance of food. Hence visitors are quite likely to see different types of beautiful reef sharks that are not harmful to humans. Visitors often get a chance to swim with them when scuba diving. These divers also get to spot Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks with scalloped rounded heads which are of medium size, however, when spotted remember to have a distance from them so that they don’t feel threatened. Sharks are visible in the waters off the Maldives during the dry season which is from January to March.

The crystal-clear waters of the Maldives help you spot friendly dolphins with ease as they are friendly creatures and love to show off. The waters around the archipelago are famous for over 20 varieties of dolphins such as Risso’s, Bottlenose, Spinner, Fraser’s, and many more whilst Spinners are seen more frequently than any other types. Try to look out for them close to sunset as often done by guests at hotels such as Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and if you get to see them you are in for a treat as they leap out from the waters into the air and put on a fabulous show just to impress the audience.

Fish of varying sizes and unusual shapes abound in these waters, in fact over 2000 species of fish are found from those dwelling in the reefs to larger ones such as hunters. Some of the fish seen often are brightly-hued triggerfish. Porcupine fish that gets all puffed up when frightened, guitarfish and so on. Larger species of fish such as grouper, barracuda, manta rays, fantail etc. are also seen around in the Maldives.

Known as the biggest fish in the ocean are gentle despite their enormous size and being able to snorkel with one is an unforgettable experience you can have in the Maldives. Slow-moving and completely harmless they feed on plankton found in abundance in the ocean around the Maldives. They are generally seen all year through, and you would be fortunate to snorkel with one.